We might come from different walks of life, and there may be a huge gap between our ages, but I’m convinced he was put on this Earth for me. To save me. To show me how to live.
We share another kiss and hug quickly, before standing and running back to the cabin, hand in hand, the heavy rain that was pelting down earlier now a fine misty drizzle.
We approach with caution, noting that things seem quiet compared to a minute ago, and as we move up the sandy path, we see JD, Mex, Murf and Vender step out onto the back porch, looking bloody, but okay.
“We get them all?” Ringo barks as we approach, and the moment JD lays eyes on his best mate, his shoulders visibly relax.
“As far as we can tell,” Vender answers. “Used their night vision goggles to check for anyone else. Outside is all clear, but there are people in the houses peeking out their windows. I doubt it will be long before the cops arrive.”
Raking his hand through his hair, Ringo assesses the scene before turning to me.
“Go check on Bobbi.” Then his eyes shift to Murf and Mex. “There are a couple of bodies on the beach. Go get them and bring them back here. We need to leave ASAP.”
Leaving them to do what they need to do, I rush down the hallway and burst into the room, nearly slipping on some broken glass as I get to the wardrobe.
“Caroline!” I call, tugging it open to find her sitting curled against the back corner. “Oh shit. Thank God,” I say, shifting to stand over her and finding Bobbi still asleep, her little mouth sucking on the dummy like she’s trying to get milk from it. “It’s over. But we have to leave before the police get here,” I say, leaning down to scoop up Bobbi from Caroline’s arms.
I’m so focused on my relief and how good it feels to hold Bobbi that it takes me a moment to realise Caroline hasn’t said anything.
“Caroline?” I ask, leaning to the side to get a look at her face.
Then I stiffen, a gasp flying from my lips as I stagger backwards. “Ringo!”
Heavy pounding feet head my way in an instant, and hot tears burst from my eyes as I try to make sense of what I just saw.
Glancing around the room, or what’s left of it, I see more bullet holes in the plaster near the wardrobe… and the wardrobe door.
“Angel. What’s wrong? Is Bobbi…” Ringo trails off as he skids in the doorway, his eyes darting from me to where I now stare at the blood-soaked hole in Caroline’s side.
“Shit… Looks like she caught a stray bullet,” Ringo says, stepping closer and lowering to his haunches to examine the situation. “Bobbi’s okay?” he asks, darting his head over his shoulder, and I nod, but since I really have no idea, I snap out of my daze and run to the bed.
Pulling back the bedsheets, I find a clean spot and lay Bobbi down, unwrapping the blanket, checking over her tiny little body.
“She’s okay,” I sigh in relief, my eyes shifting back to the wardrobe. “Caroline really did protect Bobbi with her life.”
Leaning down, Ringo runs his big fingers down the side of Bobbi’s face before glancing at me.
“I don’t want to sound harsh, but we have to go.”
I nod, knowing he’s right.
“What about all this?” I ask, gesturing to the house around us.
“We’ll burn it with the bodies inside.” He moves to his pile of clothes that he didn’t have time to dress in before, and starts to get dressed. “We’ll take our men back to Fox Pines though.”
For a moment, I wonder what Ringo means, because of course we are going back to the club. They have to sort out the dispute with Smitty and… and… then it hits me.
“Stocky? Trigger?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper as I watch the pain flash across Ringo’s face.
“Yeah, Angel. And Trunk. We have to arrange another funeral.”
My shoulders drop as pain lashes inside my chest, and I suck in my lips, trying to hold back what I’m feeling, because we really don’t have time for a distraught woman right now.
“Hey,” Ringo breathes, his finger hooking under my chin. “Try not to think about it right now. Let’s get you and Bobbi out of here and hit the road.”
Nodding, I swallow thickly, leaning into the kiss he presses to my forehead, before he leads me from the room.
Ringo and his men work seamlessly together, like they’ve burnt down houses before. It turns out this little seaside town is so small it doesn’t have its own police station or anything. Just a group of houses along the shore, the residents just trying to lead simple, quiet lives.
